Adapt and adjust
The last time I was conducting a workshop I saw several of my fellow photographers walk away from a subject in one of the many location I scout out ahad of time. They walked away because something interrupted them and they didn’t want to deal with it any longer.
Things are not always going to go your way, in fact most of the time they don’t. I guess if they did, it would becoming boring to always be able to shoot a ‘wall hanger’. For me, the thrill is in the chase.
Here’s an example of just what I mean. First of all I teach an online class with the BPSOP, and I conduct my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops all over our round planet.
I was with a group in Sicily, and to be more specific, a medieval village high in the mountains just north of Catania. Going up the tiny highway to shoot at sunset, we were in our bus that was an experience unto itself; but looking all around one could see clear blue skies.
When we arrived and started getting our gear out, within minutes a dense fog enveloped us and the light was history. It was a huge bummer!!!
People were so bummed that they wanted to leave. It was time for a ‘pep talk’!!
I said that in order to rise above and transcend difficulties, one must adapt to whatever environment dealt to you at that moment; besides it took an hour and a half to get ther and I wasn’t going to give in so easily.
“In oder to adjust“, I said with authority, you have to modify your thought process…”how”, someone blurted out.
By doing a series of things: Look for color and include it in your composition. Put on your widest lens and get up close and personal to your subject.
One of the best ways you can overcome fog or even a gray day is to include humor in your images.
The above photo wass shot by one of my students that did just that. She walked in and out of all the stores that were still open looking for props; anything to include in her photo. She saw this sun and her mind started to think aout what I had said, “include humor”.
Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com, and check out my wotkshop schedule at the top of this blog. come shoot with me sometime.
JoeB
